2017 Ford Explorer

VS

2017 GMC Acadia

Safety Comparison

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Ford Explorer are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The GMC Acadia doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

The middle row seatbelts optional on the Explorer inflate when a collision is detected, helping to spread crash forces over a much larger area of the body and limiting head and neck movement. This can help prevent spinal and internal injuries. The Acadia doesn’t offer inflatable seatbelts.

Warranty Comparison

The Explorer’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Acadia’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

There are over 79 percent more Ford dealers than there are GMC dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Explorer’s warranty.

Reliability Comparison

The Explorer has a standard “limp home system” to keep drivers from being stranded if most or all of the engine’s coolant is lost. The engine will run on only half of its cylinders at a time, reduce its power and light a warning lamp on the dashboard so the driver can get to a service station for repairs. The Acadia doesn’t offer a lost coolant limp home mode, so a coolant leak could strand you or seriously damage the truck’s engine.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2016 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Ford vehicles are better in initial quality than GMC vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Ford 11th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 1 more problems per 100 vehicles, GMC is ranked 12th.

Engine Comparison

The Explorer has more powerful engines than the Acadia:

Horsepower

Torque

Explorer 2.3 turbo 4 cyl.

280 HP

310 lbs.-ft.

Explorer 3.5 DOHC V6

290 HP

255 lbs.-ft.

Explorer Sport/Platinum 3.5 turbo V6

365 HP

350 lbs.-ft.

Acadia 2.5 DOHC 4 cyl.

193 HP

188 lbs.-ft.

Acadia 3.6 DOHC V6

310 HP

271 lbs.-ft.

Fuel Economy and Range Comparison

The Explorer has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Acadia doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Brakes and Stopping Comparison

For better stopping power the Explorer’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Acadia:

Explorer

Acadia

Front Rotors

13.85 inches

12.6 inches

Rear Rotors

13.5 inches

12.4 inches

The Explorer stops shorter than the Acadia:

Explorer

Acadia

60 to 0 MPH

123 feet

126 feet

Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels Comparison

For better traction, the Explorer has larger standard tires than the Acadia (245/60R18 vs. 235/65R18). The Explorer’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Acadia (255/50R20 vs. 245/65R17).

The Explorer Base/XLT’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Acadia’s standard 65 series tires. The Explorer’s optional tires have a lower 50 series profile than the Acadia’s optional 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Explorer Base/XLT has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Acadia.

Suspension and Handling Comparison

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Explorer is 2.5 inches wider in the front and 2.5 inches wider in the rear than on the Acadia.

The Explorer’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (55.1% to 44.9%) than the Acadia’s (57% to 43%). This gives the Explorer more stable handling and braking.

For greater off-road capability the Explorer has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Acadia (7.8 vs. 7.2 inches), allowing the Explorer to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Pressing a switch automatically lowers or raises the Explorer Sport/Platinum’s optional second and third row seats, to make changing between cargo and passengers easier. The Acadia doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

Ergonomics Comparison

The Explorer’s front power windows open or close with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The Acadia’s front passenger window doesn’t close automatically.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Explorer XLT/Limited/Sport/Platinum’s exterior keypad. The Acadia doesn’t offer an exterior keypad entry system, and its OnStar® can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.

The Explorer’s optional wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield. The Acadia’s intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

The Explorer (except Base/XLT/Sport)’s optional Enhanced Active Park Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The Acadia doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Recommendations Comparison

The Ford Explorer outsold the GMC Acadia by over three to one during the 2016 model year.

Purchase prices plus tax, tag, title, and Georgia lemon law fee. Prices include the listed rebates and incentives. Please verify all information. We are not responsible for typographical, technical, or misprint errors. Inventory is subject to prior sale. Contact us via phone or email for more details.

Purchase prices plus tax, tag, title, and Georgia lemon law fee. Prices include the listed rebates and incentives. Please verify all information. We are not responsible for typographical, technical, or misprint errors. Inventory is subject to prior sale. Contact us via phone or email for more details.